Media Releases

State Library provides free access to online resources

South Dakotans now have access to several online resources that normally require a subscription. The resources include: practice tests for common assessments such as the ACT, SAT and GRE; online reference books; and the full electronic edition of two South Dakota newspapers.
“These resources are a part of the State Library’s new mission and represent an important piece of the State Library’s support of library services at the local level,” said State Librarian Dorothy Liegl. “People can access the resources for free via the State Library’s Web site.”
• The first resource, Learning Express Library, is an online learning platform of more than 300 practice tests. The Learning Express Library consists of a wide assortment of tests, appropriate for ages ranging from grade-school level to adulthood. Tests include ACT, SAT, GRE, licensing practice exams, 4th grade math diagnostic tests, and more. The program can be used to support any learner’s needs.
• The Gale Virtual Reference Library is a core collection of virtual reference books, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The collection covers the following reference areas: business, education, history/terrorism, medicine, law and government, and science.
• Through the American Newspapers database, citizens can browse current and archived items from the Aberdeen American News and the Argus Leader. This resource will be useful for general reference or to research local and national issues, events, people, government, education, arts, business, sorts, real estate and much more.
Anyone with a library card from a South Dakota Library Network library can access these new resources from their home computer or a computer at their local library. Simply log on to the State Library Web site at www.sdstatelibrary.com and look for the Databases link. Users should be prepared to provide their library card number as a log-in and their last name as a password.
To get a library card to access the databases, users can apply online at www.sdstatelibrary.com/forms/orderlibrarycard.htm or at a South Dakota Library Network library.